Sectional bull-wheel



. Patented J une 17', 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

R. B. WOODWORTH. SECTIONALBULL WHEEL. APPLICATION FILED 1350.5. I9I7.

www2.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

FEG. 4

Patented June 17, 1919.

ROBERT B. WGODWORTH, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

SECTIONAL BULL-WHEEL.

Application led December 5, 1917.

To all whom t may concer/n:

Be it known that I, ROBERT B. WoonwonTH, a citizen of the United States, and residentJ of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sectional BullfWheels, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to well drilling rigs and more particularly to that part of such drilling rigs known as the bull wheel.

One object of this invention is to provide va sectional or knock down bull wheel having novel means whereby the bull wheel parts are rigidly connected together when the wheel is in use and are disconnected when being shipped or transported from place to place.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a bull wheel of improved construction and having an adjustable spool whereby the storage capacity 0f the bull wheel is increased or decreased from time to time when found necessary7 or desirable.

Another object of the invention is to provide a' bull wheel having tug and brake rims of improved construction, and having a novel arrangement of cable protectors whereby fouling of the drilling cables is avoided and overcome, wear on the drilling cables is lessened, and the life of the cable is largely increased.

Another object of the invention is to provide a.Y bull wheel having improved means whereby the tug rim and the brake rim are connected to and removably secured on the. bull wheel shaft.

A further object of my invention is to provide al sectional on knock-down bull wheel having novel means whereby shipment of rthe-bull wheel is facilitated and the assemby of the parts more readily accomplished in the field.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a bull wheel having the novel constructions, combinations and arrangement of parts shown in the drawings, to be described in detail hereinafter and .to be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings, forming I part of this specification, Figure l is a plan,

partly in section, and partly broken away, showing a bull wheel embodying the novel constructional features forming my inven tion.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June it, 1919.

Serial No. 205,686.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line H-H of Fig. l, showing details -in the construction of the adjustable spool forming part of this invention.

Fig. 3 is an. end elevationshowing details in the construction of the tug rim forming pant of my improved bull wheel.

Fig 4 is a transverse section on the line lV-IV of Figl l showing details in the construction of the brakeV rim forming part of my improved apparatus.

In thelaccompanying drawings, the letter A designates `the tubular vmetal shaft of my improved bull wheel, this shaft being of considerable' length, as isrindicated in Fig. l, and rigidly secured on each end of the shaft A is a gudgeon 2. The shafts of bull wheels for deep `wells are made of 18 inch 0. D. pipe and are approximately 16 feet in length. Each gud'geon 2 has an integrally formed spider 3 which extends into the end of the hollow shaft A and which is rigidly fastened therein by means of rivets 4:, by spot Welding or any other desired manner. The periphery of each spider 3 is rabbeted to provide a flange 5 which engages the end of the shaft A to aid in locating and maintaining` the gudgeons 3, 3 in axial alinement with the shaft A. (See Fig.' 1.)

A segmental tug rim B is removably secured on rthe shaft A near one end thereof and a. segmental brake rim C is removably mounted on the sha-ft adjacent to its other end. The shaft A also has` an adjustable Spool D niovably secured thereon at an intermediate point in the length of the shaft, this spool being arranged to be adjusted on the shaft toward and away from the rim B so as to increase or decrease the drilling rope or cable storage capacity of the shaft to suit varying lengths of cable. The tug and brake rims for a deep well bull wheel are generally about 8 feet in diameter.

The tug rim B is built up of a series of wooden canlts 6, arranged in' rows with the ends of the cants in one row overlapping the ends of those of the adjoining rows. (See Figs. l and 3.) The cants 6 in each row are duplicates as to size and shape so as to be usable interchangeably and permit of a new cant being readily inserted in place of a defective one. The cants of each row being of uniform thickness, enables the ove lapping ends thereof to be readily disengaged at Vdiametrically opposite points of the rim, in dismantling the rim as is done from time to time to permit of shipping the wheel in knock-down condition. The periphery of the rim B formed by the cants 6 has two parallel `rope grooves 7, 7 therein to receive the bull ropes of the drilling rig, of which my improved bull wheel forms part.

The cants are fastened in assembled posi tion by means of through bolts 8 and nuts 9, the bolts extending transversely through registering holes in the cants forming the built-up tug rim. On each side of the wooden rim is a series of thin, flat metal plates or segments 10, these plate segments also having holes therein through which the bolts 8 extend so that when the nutsg) are tightened on the bolts the metal plate segments 10 will grip and rigidly hold the cants 6 in assembled rim/forming position.

Secured to each of the plates 10 at about the middle of the length of these pla-tes by rivets 11 are bent gusset plates 12, and secured by one end between opposite pairs of thegusset plates is a series of radial spokes 13, eight being shown, rivets- 14 being employed to fasten the outer end 'of the converging spokes to the gusset pla'tes 12. (See Figs. 1. and 3). Preferably the spokes 13 are made of rolled steel channel beams, as shown, the flanges of these beams being provided with holes to receive the rivets 14 in fastening the outer end of the spokes 13 to the gusset plates 12.

The inner ends ofl the converging spokes 13 extend between the angle plates forming the pair of flanges 15, 15, by which the spokes are detaehably secured to the shaft A, these flanges being permanently fastened to the shaft by rivets 16, and the ends of the spokes being detachably secured to the flanges 15 by means of bolts 17 and nuts 18, as is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Fastened on the'gudgeon side of the tug rim B at one point on the periphery thereof, so as to project outwardly beyond the rim of the tug Wheel is a dog 19 which is employed to assist in putting the bull ropes on aiid ofl the tug rim B, and a series of three helpers 20, 21, and 22 also are secured on the flanges of -the spokes 13 -on the gudgeon side of the tug rim so as to project outwardly beyond the side of the rim, these helpers assisting in the handling of the bull rop'eswhenputting the ropes on and ofi the tug rim B.

The helpers 20, 21, and 22, are located on the spokes 13 at successively greater distances from the periphery of the tug rim B, being conveniently fastened to the flanges of the channel beams forming the spokes 13.

Secured on the opposite side of the rim of the tug rim, so as to project outwardly therefrom. is a series of wooden turning pins 23 which are tightly driven into holes in the rim and which are used-in. slowly turning the bull lwheel manually, as is nec- -essary from time to time, in operating the bull wheel, as for example, in removing or replacing the tug ropes.

The spokes 1.3 of'- the tug rim B are provided on the inner or spool side thereof, with radially extending cable protectors 24, which are formed of fiat metal bars and have bent ends 24 which incline inwardly toward the spokes 13. The protectors 24 are in a plane slightly beyond the plane of the outer or free ends of the turning pins 23, (as is shown in Fig. 1,) so as to enga e with and prevent the drilling rope or Cat5e from fouling on or becomin entangled with the pins 23 in winding an unwinding'the cable on the shaft A. The edges of the pro`-' `tectors 24 will be rounded so as'tO prevent cutting or fraying or otherwise damagingy the ropes by engagement therewith in wind# ing and unwinding the rope on the bull wheel. The bars forming the protectors 24 are riveted at each end to one end of a-bent Removably secured on the hollow shaft? A, adjacent to the end thereof opposite that.`

having the tug rim B, is the sectional brake rim C, this rim also being constructed of a series of wooden cants 28 which are duplil cates of one another and which are secured between flat metal plates or segments 29 by means of bolts 30 and nuts 31, in the same manner as in forming the tug rim. The plates 29 are secured to gusset plates 32 by rivets`33 and the gusset plates are fastened by rivets 34 to the outer ends of the series of channel beams- 35 forming the radial spokes for the brake rim. The inner converging ends of thevspokes 35 are detachably Secured to the angle plates forming the'flanges 36, 36 by means of bolts 37 and nuts 38 and the fianges 36 are permanently fastened to .Y

the gudgeon side of the brake wheel C,'these pins extending outwardly from and being fastened to the rim of the brake Wheel inthe same manner as the pins 23 on the tug rim B. The opposite or tug rim side of the brake rim (lis provided with a series of cable rotectors 41, which are constructed with nt ends and are secured to one end of Zfshaped knees 42 by countersunk rivets 43 in the same manner as the protectors 24 of the tug rim B, and the other end of the bent knees are detachably fastened by bolts 44 and nuts 45 to alternate brake rim spokes 35 in the same way as on the tug rim spokes.

Adjustably secured on the tubular shaft A, so as to be movable toward and away from the tug wheel, is the spool D ofv my improved bull Wheel. This spool is formed oi.

split clamping members 4G, t6, having bent ends which are provided with registering holes through which the clamping bolts 4T extend. (See Fig. 2.)

Fastened by rivetsto each section of the clamping members 4G is a pair of arms 1S, 48, which are formed of rolled steel channel beams, a filler 4S) being employed in connecting the arms 4S by rivets 49 to the clamping lnenibers 46.

(lne end of each arm ,4S is connected to the web.of another of `the arms i8 by an angle connection 5U, and yrivctsrl and the arms are arranged in lengthwise parallel pairs, with the arms of each pail projectingr out- 'ardly in opposite directions from opposite 'sides ofthe axial center of the shaft A, and

with the arms 48 of one pair extending lengthwise at right angles to those forming the ,other pair. The outer ends of the channel beam arms 48 are Slitted and the webs chamfered off to point the ends, the ends of the fiange being bent inwardly to the angle of the ehamfer, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1.

In transporting the bull wheel, the sectional tng rims will be removed from the shaft A. In removing the tug rim B the. bolts 8 will be removed from diametrically opposite points of the rim and the bolts 17 will be removed from the flanges, 15 and inner ends ofthe spokes 13. lhen the bolts 8 are'removed the overlapping ends of the cunts (3,wi1l be loosened and the rim will be in two'similar semi-circular sections. The brake yrim C will be removed in a similar manner, by first taking ont the bolts BO at diametrically opposite points on this rim and by then removing the bolts 37 used in connecting the flanges 36 on the shaft.- A to the inner end of the spokes of the brake rim.

In assembling the parts of the bull wheel for use, the shaft A will be first mounted by its gudgeons 2, 2 in suitable bearings provided therefor on the drilling rie'. (hie-half of the tug rim B will then be positioned under the shaftand will be liftedso as to bring its spokes 13 into position between the flanges 15 of the shaft. The bolts 17 will then be inserted in the registering holes in the spokes and flanges. One-half of the brake rim C will be then mounted on the shaft A in the same manner as has been described.

After the bolts connect the spokes 37 have been inserted to 35 of the b 'ake rim to the Afianges 3G on the shaft, the shaft will be urned one-half revolution on its gudgeons 3, 2 so as to bring the erected half of the tug riln and the brake rim above the horizontal axis of the shaft, and will be blocked or otherwise secured in such position. rlhe vother half of the tug rim will then be put into position on the shaft, from below the shaft and the second half of the brake rim be similarly located on the shaft in the same manner as hereinbefore described. After the bolts 17 and 37 have been insertedl to fasten the spokes to the flanges on the shaft and the bolts 8 and 3() have. been replaced in the rims, the bull wheel is in readiness for use.

ln using bull wheels the bull ropes which are usually inches in diameter, must be frequently removed from and replaced on the tug rim, and ordinarily this is a difficult operation.

In using my improved wheel one of the endless bnll ropes, of which one isemployed in each of the grooves 7, 7, is brought into engagement with the dog 19. By then turning the bull wheel manually by means of the turning` pins or handles 2?), the rim l is graduallyrotated, and as turned the helpers 20, 21, and 22 successively engage with the bull rope, this part of the rope being shifted sidewise by the dog 1) when engaged thereby to the tug rim, and when the dog 19 comes into engagement with the bull rope a second time it will automatically move the rope on to the rim. The rope is then moved sidewise on the rim until it is in the groove 7 farthest away from the dog 1t).

The saine operation is then carried ont with the second bull rope.

In removing the ropes, one will be pulled sidewise as the wheel A is slowly turned by means of the pins 23. The outside of the dog 19 after coming into engagement with the rope will hold and 'prevent it from climbing on to the rim, and after the rim is turned about one-half revolution the rope will be entirely clear of the tug rim l.

The same operation is then carried out with the other of the bull ropes, and the ropes will be held in disengaged position until again put on the tug rim in the manner which has been described.

The advantages of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. By making the bull wheel in sections as has been described,` its shipment is facilitated and the bull wheel is more easily erected and dismantled as is frequently necessary in moving the bull wheel from place to place to drill successive wells. My improved wheel combines great strength with a material reduction in weight over that of the old Wooden type of bull wheel. Modifications in the details of construction of the bull wheel may be made without departing Jfrom my invention as defined in the appended claims.

l claim 1. ln a bull wheel, the combination of a tubular metal shaft, a sectional tug rim at one end and sectional brake rim at the other end of the shaft, said rims being formed of laminated wooden cants having overlapping ends and being separable diametrically into sections, and converging metal ,spokes con- 'ilo necting the rims to the shaft, said spokes Ibeing secured :it one end to the riln sections and detnchnbly connected :1t the other end to said shaft.

2. In :L bull wheel, the combination of :1V tubular lnetnl shaft, :1` tug rini :1t one end and :1 brake rim at the other end of the shaft, converging spokes for connecting the riin sections to the shaft, said spokes being de tnchnbly connected to said shaft,1 und Series of radial cable proteetors on the near sides of the tug rim spokes :1nd the brake rim spokes= Suid protectors beingl rigidly secured to the said spokes.`

3. In :t bull wheel, the combination of a tubular metal shaft having gudgeons at the ends thereof, a tug rim :tt one end :1nd :i brake rim :1t the other end of the shaft, converging spokes for connecting the rim seetions `to the shaft, :L series of turning pins on the brake rim side of the tug inn and :t series of radial cable protectors on the turning pin side of the tug rnn7 seid. protectors being fastened to the tug rim spokes and one face of the protectors extending outwardly into :1 plane at least Hush with the outer ends lof said turning pins.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ROBERT B.` XVOOD'WORTH. 

